With the deaths associated with Legionnaire's disease last month, another hurdle has created fear among constituents of the New York City as seven people were infected with the said disease as reported on Monday. Most of the cases were reported from the Morris Park section of The Bronx.
Last summer, an estimated 12 people died of the said disease, the City Health Department said in a report by The New York Post. However, they cleared that this new outbreak was not linked or associated with the one that occurred in August that sickened 120 people, reported The New York Post.
The latest victims were all hospitalized and diagnosed with Legionnaire's disease. Health officials then tracked the source of the outbreak and found out that the cooling tower at the Opera House Hotel was contaminated with Legionella, reports Fox News.
However, this new outbreak has not been traced and the source is still unidentified. The victims are between the ages of 45 and 75 and have underlying heart conditions that made them at a higher risk for complications of the disease.
"I urge all New Yorkers to seek care immediately if they have flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, headache, or difficulty breathing," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett in a report by The New York Post.
From the update, Environmental scientists already took samples at all cooling towers near the area but the cause is still unclear. According to the latest data, the city experiences around 200 to 300 cases every year but this outbreak is the worst.
Health care practitioners were all alerted to observe patients with signs of the disease as Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has aired his concern over the predicament. He called the state for assistance and is monitoring the condition.
Legionella thrive in cool and wet places like cooling towers and air conditioning areas. They can be transmitted through air droplets being inhaled but it cannot be passed from one person to another.
